A t-shirt from the Purple Pony. It's locally owned and has a great selection of quality t-shirts, printed right there at the store.

A t-shirt from the Purple Pony. It's locally owned and has a great selection of quality t-shirts, printed right there at the store.

−

Sun Screen. Bug Spray. A good beach book.

+

An authentic Chincoteague Pony. There are several options for this. Most people looking to buy a pony come for pony penning week (Last Weds. in July.) and buy one at the Wild Pony Auction. For those that can't make it that week, or are interested in a more relaxed buying experience, the [http://www.chincoteagueponyfarm.com Chincoteague Pony Farm] is a great alternative. Don Leonard has been raising ponies for decades, and now with the help of his sons and grandchildren, he is making a name for the small farm he's owned since the 60's.

==Eat==

==Eat==

Revision as of 13:16, 19 June 2008

Contents

Get in

To get to Chincoteague Island, take 64 east from Richmond until you reach Norfolk. From there, take 13 North. You will need to pay a $12 bridge toll to cross the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel. Once on the other side, continue up the Eastern Shore for about an hour and a half. In Oak Hall, there is a Food Lion and Sonic. Turn right onto Rt. 175. Continue following 175 past the NASA base and across the bridges. There is a stoplight after the last bridge--Welcome to Chincoteague Island! Relax, you're on Island Time.

Get around

There are many ways to get around Chincoteague. During the summer months, the roads can get crowded. Bicycles are a great solution (and they get you into the beach for FREE!) Consider renting from the Bike Depot on Maddox Blvd or one of the other rental shops. They have reasonable rates ($3/hour, $14/day).

There is also an Island trolley service during the summer. Rides are only a quarter, and many hotels give out tokens for free rides. It's a great way to get to the carnival, since parking there is limited.

See

Annual Pony Swim, Pony Swim Lane. Last Wednesday in July.

Do

Go to the beach. There is no commercialization over there--not even a Coke machine--so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. It is a wonderful beach, though you'll have to pay to get on Assateague Island, where the beach and wildlife refuge are located. Be sure to stop at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center on Assateague--they have activities and exhibits for nature lovers of all ages!

Go to the Fireman's Carnival. It's a small-town festival complete with rides, games, bingo, and delicious oyster and clam fritters. All the rides and stands are run by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Many members of the fire company are World-Famous Salt Water Cowboys.

Refuge Golf on Maddox Blvd. provides lots of family entertainment. You can play a round of Putt-Putt, race for the finish in go-karts, climb the rock wall, get soaked with bumper boats, and even do a little old-school air hockey or pool inside the arcade.

Riding bikes on the Wildlife Refuge is an unforgettable experience--I highly recommend it. The 3-mile wildlife loop is an easy, flat ride, and the short hike to the Assateague Lighthouse is a lot of fun!

Whatever you do, if it's outside, bring bug spray. The mosquitoes are blood-thirsty!

Buy

Sun Screen. Bug Spray. A good beach book.

A t-shirt from the Purple Pony. It's locally owned and has a great selection of quality t-shirts, printed right there at the store.

An authentic Chincoteague Pony. There are several options for this. Most people looking to buy a pony come for pony penning week (Last Weds. in July.) and buy one at the Wild Pony Auction. For those that can't make it that week, or are interested in a more relaxed buying experience, the Chincoteague Pony Farm is a great alternative. Don Leonard has been raising ponies for decades, and now with the help of his sons and grandchildren, he is making a name for the small farm he's owned since the 60's.

Eat

Captain Zack's Seafood Carry-Out, corner of Maddox and Deep Hole Road. Don't be fooled by the unassuming little building – Crystal is serving up some mighty fine local seafood. Try the clam fritter and single fried oyster sandwiches. She's a Chincoteague native and a delightful one at that. Ask her about Halloween costumes!

Drink

Sleep

Miss Mollys Inn, 4141 Main Street, 757-336-6686 or 800-221-5620, [1]. At this bed and breakfast you will find a warm and inviting parlor that is just the place to curl up with a good book, chat, play board games or just sit by the fire.